Mexican authorities set out plan for infrastructure

The Mexican authorities have set out further details on the country’s ongoing infrastructure development plans. Mexico's Transport and Communications Secretariat (SCT) will commence the call for proposals process for highway projects worth a total of US$2.11 billion. The projects include the Paso Express de Cuernavaca, Tuxpan-Tampico highway, Ciudad Obrego by-pass and Barretal by-pass. They also include widening the Tlalpan and Puebla routes. Around $4.366 billion will be invested in roads in Mexico during the first six months of 2014. Nearly $828 million will be used to develop the infrastructure network in Michoacan State, with seven highway projects worth around $354 million being central to the plans. SCT has announced the projects, which include upgrades to the Arco Norte and western Morelia bypass, as well as the Zitacuaro-Valle de Bravo, Atizapan-Atlacomulco, Patzcuaro-Uruapan and Jiquilpan-Sahuayo roads. New traffic technology systems will be installed on the Siglo XXI and Mexico-Morelia routes. Some $98 million will be used to improve connectivity to Michoacan, including the Patzcuaro-Tacambaro and Uruapan-Zamora roadworks, the north Morelia bypass and the renovation of the Carretera Federal 200 road. Rural and feeder roads will be built, maintained and modernised. In the Federal District of Mexico, some $489 will be spent on upgrading the Circuito Interior road system. The work is now underway and includes improvements to two bridges and a tunnel. The two year project is being carried out by a consortium headed by GAMI. The contract includes maintenance of the route until 2025 and involves improving the Circuito Interior road, which connects the airport and financial districts. Once the work is complete this could cut travel times by as much as 60%.